Friday, May 9, 2014

I love the month of May. Who doesn't love the lush spring colours thanks to the vibrant green shoots and tender buds, and then there are the splashes of white, creamy shades of yellow, different hues of indigo, and various shades of blushing pink in the guise of crocus, hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, paper whites and more! Yes, it seems like Earth is wakening after a long wintry slumber. It's fascinating to see the spring flowers bloom just in time to celebrate new life and how much better than by celebrating all mothers, and saying thanks for their years of mothering us! Is it a coincidence that Mother's Day is in May and not June? And here's another reason for rejoicing when it's May. Heard of David Suzuki Foundation's 30x30 Challenge? I found out about it last year, and I was fortunate to be able to take my parents to the Kick-off last year before my dad had his second and major stroke, which landed him in the hospital and eventually a wonderful nursing home. Life is short. Make it count. Take your beloved mom and dad out for a stroll together as a family. You never know when is the last time you'll be able to do so as a family. And here's another reason to rejoice over the month of May. Over the last 12 years Toronto has been celebrating Asian Heritage Month. As a local culinary historian who happens to be born and bred in Toronto, I am fascinated by the continual demographic changes and shifts in Toronto's Lost First Chinatown and even its more well-known Second Chinatown (Dundas/Spadina area). How much is this latter area changing? Well, I'm seriously dubbing the Second Chinatown Foodies Tour as Asian Town Food Tour as it's slowly changing to reflect who we are, what we savour, how we eat, and where we congregate! So how many ways are we celebrating the month of May at A Taste of the World? Lets see... Food tours, and a LitWalk for all those LM Montgomery fans out there, and even a hands-on workshop near the end of the month in preparations for the popular Dragon Boats Festival! Read on and book your spots now! MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND* Kensington Foodies Roots Tour: Multi-Ethnic Spring Bounty & Mother's Day Fest Saturday May 10th, 2014 9:30 am - 1:00 pmMeet: Red Art Pole with Black Cat at 350 Spadina Ave/St Andrew St (1 bl N of Dundas St W)* Second Chinatown Foodies Tour: Mother's Day Then and Now Sunday May 11th, 2014 10:00 am - 1:30pm Meet: Lucky Moose Statue, 393 Dundas St W/Beverley St by Lucky Moose Mart Note: 11 spots at the hosted dim sum table, a memorable experience complete with chopsticks etiquette reviews, Chinese horoscope bookVICTORIA DAY LONG WEEKEND* Lost First Chinatown Foodies Tour Saturday May 17th, 2014 10:00 am - 1:30 pm Meet: Old City Hall, front steps NOTES: *Eat breakfast before this tour as eating takes place at near the end * Wear comfortable walking shoes as this tour involves good distance as we trace where seeds of 1st Chinatown were planted and uprooted several times before arriving at Spadina/Dundas area * We end with food & non-alcoholic drinks at the latter part of the tour